Beginning in May 2001, I decided to start homeschooling my daughter, Hannah, in preschool. She had been attending a local daycare while I ran my home business and attended full-time classes at the local college. Once my schooling was over, I took her out of daycare and started the journey.

During our preschool year, I tried many methods of planning and recordkeeping. In the end, I decided each week what I'd be presenting to Hannah to focus on. But, in fact, I really didn't know from day to day exactly what we will do. So many things play into plan changes: mood, weather, excitement level, difficulties with activities, errands to run, etc. So, while I do try to map out a week's plan, and look to it from time to time to see "what to do next" so to speak, I did not press to stay "on schedule" or keep to a concrete plan. My own need to plan simply was a way to feed my own need for structure. It allowed me to feel organized so I could comfortably move through each day with my daughter in a relaxed way. I finally, found a method that worked for me. Read about it here.

For preschool we used a variety of products along with games, library visits, nature walks, hands-on activities and more. Our products page will show you what we used.

The most important wonderful part of homeschooling for me has been seeing the excitement in my daughter's face when a new activity, book, set of flashcards, impromtu conversational lesson and such was presented. Listening to her tell me about what we just read in a book, her concept of how plants grow, questions that run through her mind, figuring things out in her own systematic ways, etc., were just enchanting. I'm so grateful that I've been there to share in that. It was heartwarming to watch her as she struggled with a skill at the beginning, but by the end had mastered it and was full of pride in her accomplishment. Listening to her imitate things I've said to her in an earlier "lesson" or see her reliving an earlier activity on her own reassured me that this was for real.

As we come to the end of our homeschool preschool year, I do not know if we're beginning down the homeschooling path to continue through till graduation. I've not really thought that far ahead. For now, I'm content with the knowledge that I can and am supplying my daughter with fun and family while helping her learn and develop skills that will last a lifetime.

You can follow the next stage of our homeschooling journey here.